Address assignment

Abstract

A system comprises a first computer comprising a first switch and a first endpoint device. The system also includes a second computer comprising a second switch and a second endpoint device. The second computer couples to the first computer. The first endpoint device receives a signal from the second endpoint device. The signal comprises a signature that identifies the second endpoint device. The signal further comprises a hop count that indicates a number of electronic devices between the first and second endpoint devices. Based on the signature and the hop count, the first endpoint device assigns an address to the second endpoint device.

1 . A system, comprising:
 a first computer comprising a first switch and a first endpoint device; and   a second computer comprising a second switch and a second endpoint device, the second computer coupled to the first computer;   wherein the first endpoint device receives a signal from the second endpoint device, the signal comprising a signature that identifies said second endpoint device, the signal further comprising a hop count that indicates a number of electronic devices, between the first and second endpoint devices, through which the signal passes;   wherein, using said signature and said hop count, the first endpoint device assigns an address to the second endpoint device.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first endpoint device comprises a monarch device that at least partially controls the second endpoint device. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first endpoint device transfers a response signal comprising said address, said hop count and a return hop count to the second endpoint device, and wherein the return hop count is incremented each time the response signal passes through a switch, and wherein the second switch determines that the address corresponds to said second computer by comparing the hop count to the return hop count, and wherein the second endpoint device determines that the address corresponds to the second endpoint device by comparing the signature to another signature encoded in the response signal. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the address comprises either a Media Access Control (MAC) address or an Internet Protocol (IP) address. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said hop count indicates a number of switches between the first and second endpoint devices. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said signature comprises a serial number associated with said second endpoint device. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first endpoint device sends a return signal comprising the address to the second endpoint device, and wherein said first and second switches and another switch between the first and second switches use the hop count to transfer the assignment signal from the first endpoint device to the second endpoint device. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein, using said signature and hop count, the first endpoint device assigns another address to the second endpoint device,
 wherein the address comprises a Media Access Control (MAC) address and said another address comprises an Internet Protocol (IP) address.   
   
   
       9 . A system, comprising:
 an endpoint device; and   a switching device coupled to the endpoint device;   wherein the switching device receives a signal comprising identification and a hop count and provides the signal to the endpoint device, the identification identifies an electronic device external to the system and the hop count indicates a location of the endpoint device relative to the electronic device;   wherein the endpoint device assigns an address to the electronic device using the identification and the hop count.   
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the endpoint device is adapted to control the electronic device. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the system comprises a server. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said identification comprises a serial number. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the address comprises either a Media Access Control (MAC) address or an Internet Protocol (IP) address. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the endpoint device assigns said address based on said identification, wherein the identification comprises a serial number. 
   
   
       15 . A method, comprising:
 providing a first signal comprising a signature and a hop count to a first electronic device, the signature identifies a second electronic device and the hop count indicates a number of electronic devices between the first and second electronic devices; and   using the signature and the hop count to assign an address to the second electronic device.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the address is selected from the group consisting of a Media Access Control (MAC) address and an Internet Protocol (IP) address. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first electronic device and the second electronic device are housed in separate servers. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said signature comprises a serial number. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said first electronic device comprises a monarch that controls the second electronic device. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising:
 comparing said hop count to a return hop count that is incremented each time a return signal comprising the return hop count passes through a switch on the way from the first electronic device to the second electronic device; and   comparing said signature to another copy of said signature of the second electronic device;   wherein, based on said comparison of hop counts and said comparison of signatures, providing said return signal to the second electronic device.